It has been a while since my last blog entry. Well, i had been very busy at work plus just had my excursion to Bangkok and Malaysia 2 weeks ago and just last week i was bestowed by the beauty of Ilocos region.
With a number of my out of town trips, i realized i had to come back and find something new in my hometown. You know how it feels being back from a long trips. Geez! work and work and work - waiting for you.
Good thing one night, i crashed into my friends's apartment. We were looking for something to eat and out of the blue while walking along the bustling asphalt-bricks streets of Apas, Ivy was telling us of this new restaurant within the village. So off we started to ignite Dora's spirit. Where's the map?
It was quiet difficult for us to find the place as there were no signage on the streets at all. Lucky we were born in the technology era! Thanks to the world wide web i was able to find information. The restaurant Ivy was telling us was Duz Grill. According to Mr. Google, it is located in Apas along 4th street. While information were available online (through several blogs i.e. iluvcebu), we still had difficulty finding the place as online facts were not as detailed as we wanted to have. How even funny it was coz we barged into a wrong house. Haha.
After asking a couple of 'Kanto Boys', finally we found the place. Eureka!
That night was supposed to be an ocular visit only. We wanted to check the actual place out of curiosity on the featured blogs online. We would have to make a reservation then if we like the place.
To our surprise, just after we step inside the gate we were fascinated with the place. It was literally a home. That feeling you'd have when you just want to wear your pajamas and have coffee - homey feel indeed.
We were welcomed by Mrs. Marilou Aizon, a very fine woman who is the mother of the resto's chef. She was so nice that she even let us taste her baked cupcakes and offered us refreshments - mango iced tea. And oh! that was one of the best teas i had.
Of course knowing me (frustrated host) i had to start my casual chat. I always find it fulfilling to know the humble beginnings of every entrepreneur. I always get inspired to their stories.
We learned from our conversation that Duz was actually named after her son Alduz Aizon who since child has great passion for cooking. Polishing his craft in the food world, Chef underwent a culinary course training in TESDA and after that he started the restaurant business.
Duz Grill has been operating for nearly one year now. Chef's signature dish has specialized in ribs and steaks. Steaks here are all charcoal grilled that a perfect marriage of tender meat and spicy suace is achieved. The restaurant is slowly making buzz in the community that i believe sooner would dominate Cebu's long list of food haven. Later, gone are the good old days of Casa Verde's Brian's ribs and Mooon's baby-back ribs. Behold! Duz is coming your way.
The following night, we went back to Duz Grill with a number of friends. Yes! we spread the words and our friends were as excited as we were. There were 9 of us inside their cozy 'heart's room'.
Photo essay below...
Dine ala Alfresco!
Fresh air in the city!
The Chef is working!
........ and here are the stars of the night!
The Food ...
Spicy Ribs
Original Flavor Ribs
Pork Tenderloin w/ Spinach and Rice
Hoisin Chicken with Rice
Original Meat Burger
Original Meat Burger
Mango Cream
For the rice eaters..
Rocky road cupcakes
Chocolate cherry cupcakes
Mango-iced tea
Hawaiian coffee
The interior...
Notably, the Aizon family's house has now been converted into restaurant. It has 3 sets of dining table in the living area, 2 sets in the heart's room (former entertainment room) and one set in the conference room.
Dining table in the living area
Still in the living area
Perfect for chit chat
Dine at the conference room
Heart's room with an LED TV mounted on the wall. (wish it was a videoke room)
I, Ivy, and Jean in the heart's room. That artificial tree above us rembles a cherry blossoms.
Can't help but fall in love in this artistically positioned stairway.
The Menu...
Seeing those photos above make one drools. I know you're already getting this on your bucket list. For your convenience, i have included the menu below for your reference when making a reservation over the phone.
Meet the Chef...
The brilliant mind behind this blissfully concept of a homey restaurant. The man who lets his passion transpire to reality. With that reality comes a desire to carve happiness and draw satisfaction in every diner's appetite. Meet Chef Alduz Aizon.
The Diners...
(L-R) @crisly_belle, i ,@judysarabia, @shyxii, @bernatabinas @ivyrufin @warenjeanNotoGo
Follow them on twitter guys.
With the Master Chef!
(L-R) @judysarabia, @crisly_belle, @budoycary, @ivyrufin, @warenNotoGo, @illustriousjosh
Photo taken by @isko_moyoko
@isko_moyoko busy editing his photos
With my pretty ladies!
Direction...
You might have a question on your mind by now, how to go to Duz Grill?
Going to the restaurant is very easy.
By private car, just drive through IT Park and go along the narrow streets of Apas. Look for the 4th Street sign then turn right if you're coming from IT Park (left if entering from Country mall). Then drive straight towards the end corner (curve) of the street where you'll find a blue gate - 33A. (Parking area available)
By Taxi - hail a cab and tell the driver to bring you to Apas 4th street. Follow same direction above.
By Jeepney - very accessible from public commuters. Catch a ride on 17C, 17B, or 17D jeepneys and drop off at 4th Street Apas intersection. Walk (5 min.) straight towards the end corner of the street and look for a blue gate - #33A.
Courtesy of Google maps
Contact:
Duz Grill,
33A 4th Street San Antonio Village, Apas Cebu City
Tel #: (032) 410-9012 / 09399389103
Open from 12PM to 12AM Mondays to Sundays
Reviews:
Truly, the food was mouthwatering! From the beautiful plating to the wispy smell until
the smokey-red skinned steaks perfectly laid on the table. Oh Geez! Life is good.
Unsurprisingly, I like the spark of chili that spicy ribs has to offer. I just love spicy food. It was divine! To all Foodies who love spice, this is perfect for you. Of course, the ribs original flavor didn't fail to provide me that sweet, delicate flavor every kid would love. Oh well, that kid in me.
Preparing this dish could take some time and i couldn't imagine how much patience chef needs to have to come up with this luscious dish. I just love the quality of meat being used. The texture is close to perfection. It may sound cliche but it's really tender and juicy. Plus, i got the smokey aroma of my steak. Thanks to charcoal! It eliminates that fishy smell in ribs.
I am not a burger fanatic but Duz's burger tamed me. It was lip-smacking!
Mango-iced tea - oh! this thirst-quenching tea i'd forever love. Perfect to pair with your burger.
The perfect way to cap our scrumptious dinner was through a sweet delight. For foodies with sweet tooth, try Duz's Mango Cream. It resembles the taste of a perfectly just-fell-off-the-tree ripe mango. Texture is good - creamy but not slimy. The heart shape candy topping gives it a twist of a lil crunchiness in the palate.
But more than the dishes, what i really like the most is the customer service Duz has. Simply the best! When you are in Duz, you'd really feel like you're home.
You may easily find good dishes in town but hardly you'd find people who'll welcome you with open arms and serve you with a smile.
Thoughts...
While the magic of food can be painted in photos and transcribed into words, there's nothing more gratifying than actually tasting them. That magic transpires into one realistic fulfilling sense - completely replete.
-illustriousjosh
well written ma.. :)
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